Washington, D.C. – April 30, 2008 -- Maria Knee, kindergarten teacher at Deerfield Community School in Deerfield, N.H., has been named this year's winner of the Kay L. Bitter Vision Award for Excellence in Technology-Based PK-2 Education. The award is given by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE(r)) to recognize PK-2 educators who demonstrate vision and creativity in a project or program that effectively integrates technology in the classroom.

Knee was selected for her dedication to incorporating technology activities into the classroom routine. She creates a motivating learning environment for students that includes sharing classroom work with parents, families, community, and the world through interactive projects. Students have access to computers at the school¹s computer lab where they read classroom blogs, comment on classmates¹ work, and work on their own class blog. Knee’s kindergarten blog has become an online tool for teaching reading, math, social studies and science. Her classroom often communicates by e-mail, Skype calls, and video chats with other classrooms around the U.S. and even as far as New Zealand. Knee shares her teaching methods with colleagues by presenting at regional workshops and co-hosting Webcasts.

According to Deborah Boisvert, who nominated Knee for the award, "The learning environment that Maria Knee creates for her students emulates the expectations of the employers in our country when they speak of the 21st century skills they want to see in the future work force. Maria and her students are not only living in the digital age, they are creating it.²

Knee will be honored at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), to be held in San Antonio, Texas, June 29 through July 2, 2008. She will be presented with an award and $500.

The Kay L. Bitter Vision Award for Excellence in Technology-Based PK-2 Education is given annually in memory of Kay L. Bitter (1943-2001). Bitter was involved in early childhood education for more than 20 years and was committed to bringing technology into her classroom daily. The award has been established through generous donations sent in Bitter's memory to her husband, Gary Bitter. He has served on ISTE's board of directors and on the National Educational Technology Standards leadership team.

About ISTE
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy, and leadership for innovation. A nonprofit membership association, ISTE provides leadership and service to improve teaching, learning, and school leadership by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education.

Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), ISTE represents more than 100,000 professionals worldwide. We support our members with information, networking opportunities, and guidance as they face the challenge of transforming education.